Output plugin (for iMON VFD)

hoppy · Post by **hoppy** » March 22nd, 2005, 3:16 pm

Hi, All.
I'm using SoundGraph iMON VFD and I'm developing output plugin for it.

LCD Smartie has no function for output in plugin.
I tried 2 methods.

The 1st, output str caught parameter from LCD Smartie.
The problem this method, that can't receive formated str for output.
There is no good way for the scrolling characters...

The 2nd, call GetWIndowText() whenever the function called and output that.
This is not efficient.
And, Window Handle is not created at initialization if "Always start hidden" of startup option is checked.
This is avoidable by displaying the window even once.

Isn't there good way another some?
Is it only way,that build LCD Smartie with my output function?

sorry for my broken English...

hoppy · Post by **hoppy** » March 25th, 2005, 1:51 am

Hi.
I made usbport.dll for iMON VFD.
And, it succeeded in the control of iMON VFD from usbport.dll.
It solved.
Thank you.

RAN · Post by **RAN** » April 8th, 2005, 2:54 pm

Dear Sir,

I try use smartie softwrae with VFD IMON but it dont work.
If you could help me... Are you make a usbport.dll to work on this VFD IMON USB hardware?

Can you help me please.

Thank you in advance for you time.
Best regards

hoppy · Post by **hoppy** » April 10th, 2005, 9:45 pm

Hi RAN.

My usbport.dll is still under alpha testing.
I know only the thing that it works on my PC.
I saw a "blue screen" twice while developing. (It already Fixed.)
And, I don't know details. how genuine usbport.dll works.
My usbport.dll is made from the experiment and the hypothesis.
And of course, it is not guaranteed.

If you agree to them, you can get my usbport.dll from following link.
http://happy.happy.nu/download/alpha/pdll0002.zip
http://happy.happy.nu/imon/vfd/

AllenConquest · Post by **AllenConquest** » April 13th, 2005, 3:56 pm

Is there any way to get the iMon USB VFD to work with LCDSmartie. The setup screen doesn't allow you to select a USB VFD, so do we have to wait until someone updates the main code ?

hoppy · Post by **hoppy** » May 6th, 2005, 5:33 pm

Setting LCD Smartie if using my usbport.dll
LCD Settings
LCD size -> 2x16 or 4x16
LCD type -> Matrix Orbital
COM port -> USB Palm

AllenConquest wrote:Is there any way to get the iMon USB VFD to work with LCDSmartie. The setup screen doesn't allow you to select a USB VFD, so do we have to wait until someone updates the main code ?

AllenConquest · Post by **AllenConquest** » May 9th, 2005, 12:19 pm

@hoppy

I don't have an iMon VFD myself, but I want to say my plugin will work with this display. Is your DLL stable enough for me to distribute to other people to try ? I can put a warning that this is only an alpha release if you want. Where should your DLL be put ?

Thanks,

Allen

shirley · Post by **shirley** » May 15th, 2005, 9:00 am

hoppy wrote:Setting LCD Smartie if using my usbport.dll
LCD Settings
LCD size -> 2x16 or 4x16
LCD type -> Matrix Orbital
COM port -> USB Palm

AllenConquest wrote:Is there any way to get the iMon USB VFD to work with LCDSmartie. The setup screen doesn't allow you to select a USB VFD, so do we have to wait until someone updates the main code ?

Me too use the SoundGraph iMON VFD and want to get it working with LCD Smartie. I've downloaded your usbport.dll driver and used your settings.
But i keep getting error message on loading the dll file.

Were should it be installed? I've put copies of your dll and ini file in my smartie/plugins folder, windows folder and win/system32 folder.

What im i doing wrong?

murphinator · Post by **murphinator** » May 16th, 2005, 5:48 am

Hi,

I also have the imon vfd and I am very interested in trying this dll with LCD
Smartie but the link doesn't seem to work for me.

http://happy.happy.nu/download/alpha/pdll0002.zip <= this link

Any chance someone could post a link or email it to me at
professorthurman@gmail.com

Cheers

murphinator · Post by **murphinator** » May 17th, 2005, 5:51 am

Don't worry I got it working at school

Mike · Post by **Mike** » May 18th, 2005, 1:48 pm

Hi hoppy,

I'd like to try your usbport.dll as well, please. I've tried your links, but I just get a "403 Forbidden" error.

Mike

hoppy wrote:Hi RAN.

My usbport.dll is still under alpha testing.
I know only the thing that it works on my PC.
I saw a "blue screen" twice while developing. (It already Fixed.)
And, I don't know details. how genuine usbport.dll works.
My usbport.dll is made from the experiment and the hypothesis.
And of course, it is not guaranteed.

If you agree to them, you can get my usbport.dll from following link.
http://happy.happy.nu/download/alpha/pdll0002.zip
http://happy.happy.nu/imon/vfd/

Mike · Post by **Mike** » May 19th, 2005, 9:48 pm

I've managed to download it now. For some reason I couldn't get it with Firefox, but it downloaded fine when I used IE.

For anyone who is interested, hoppy's DLL seems to work perfectly with the Imon VFD that comes as an extra for the Accent HT-400 PC case. Just copy the dll and ini file to the LCDSmartie plugins folder and use the settings listed earlier in this thread. I've been running it for about 24 hours now with no problems, displaying Winamp details and newly arived emails.

Many thanks to hoppy for developing this DLL. Now if I can just get the built in Imon IR receiver to talk to Girder...

Sinister · Post by **Sinister** » May 25th, 2005, 7:02 am

To bad it doesnt seem to work with my Uneed Dign usb VFD. It says A usb palm is detected but it fails to connect to PalmOrb. Any ideas?

shirley · Post by **shirley** » May 28th, 2005, 2:18 pm

Sinister wrote:To bad it doesnt seem to work with my Uneed Dign usb VFD. It says A usb palm is detected but it fails to connect to PalmOrb. Any ideas?

I get that error message too, if anyone knows how to solve it we'll be happy to know.

masb · Post by **masb** » June 2nd, 2005, 1:08 am

I had the same idea and developed a driver for SoundGraph iMon using the USB Palm interface. My plugin seemms to be working OK and I have just released it. Go to http://www.axcis.com.au/shop/index.php? ... ducts_id=5 and you can download it for free via the shopping cart.

RAN · Post by **RAN** » June 3rd, 2005, 9:23 am

First thank you for wour great help.
My Imon VFD is working with LCD Smartie.

I have a few more questions:

- Imon volume dosent work. Is possible make it to work?
- Is possible make the graphic equalizer to work?

Thank you again for your great help

Rui Nunes

masb · Post by **masb** » June 7th, 2005, 12:57 am

I will look to add support for the graphic equalizer; it will probably need a special plugin for Smartie. I am not sure what you mean about volume; can you explain further.

hoppy · Post by **hoppy** » July 16th, 2005, 8:48 pm

Update your iMON driver and LCDSmartie latest version.

shirley wrote:
hoppy wrote:Setting LCD Smartie if using my usbport.dll
LCD Settings
LCD size -> 2x16 or 4x16
LCD type -> Matrix Orbital
COM port -> USB Palm

AllenConquest wrote:Is there any way to get the iMon USB VFD to work with LCDSmartie. The setup screen doesn't allow you to select a USB VFD, so do we have to wait until someone updates the main code ?
Me too use the SoundGraph iMON VFD and want to get it working with LCD Smartie. I've downloaded your usbport.dll driver and used your settings.
But i keep getting error message on loading the dll file.

Were should it be installed? I've put copies of your dll and ini file in my smartie/plugins folder, windows folder and win/system32 folder.

What im i doing wrong?

zedriq · Post by **zedriq** » February 11th, 2006, 1:05 am

iMon Version: 4.51.0202
smartie: 5.3.2

My iMon is running with the 'pdll0002.zip' plugin but smartie is having a problem by showing the ' ? ' symbol on my display (Silverstone LC10M).

There is maybe always ' _C ' been displayed when i want smartie to display ' ?C '.

What's the problem? I don't know how to handle that problem...

Post by **limbo** » February 11th, 2006, 2:50 pm

zedriq
There are some ways to deal with this problem...

One is to find out the location of the degree symbol and call it using the $char() command. This can be done by looking the character table of your VFD.
The other way is to create a custom character using one of the 8 custom characters available on your screen and call it.

zedriq · Post by **zedriq** » February 11th, 2006, 3:27 pm

limbo wrote: This can be done by looking the character table of your VFD.

Where can i find such a character table for the iMon VFD which is build-in in the Silverstone LC10M?

Post by **limbo** » February 11th, 2006, 5:27 pm

Look at your hardware documentation

zedriq · Post by **zedriq** » February 11th, 2006, 5:56 pm

Well, there is no ascii or character table within the lc10m documentation...

Silverstone mailed me, that i have to contact soundgraph in such questions, but i don't know where to look on the soundgraph website for the right vfd usb documentation.

zedriq · Post by **zedriq** » February 12th, 2006, 11:09 pm

I've got an answer from soundgraph (link):

Dear Customer

Thank you so much for using our product.
iMON VFD can display only English character set(ASCII code).
Other languages and special characters not included in ASCII code like " ? ", can not be displayed properly.

Thanks a lot.

How can i build my own ? character? I don't get the syntax...

I have testet nearly 4 hours, but got nothing to work...

zedriq · Post by **zedriq** » February 13th, 2006, 7:44 pm

Code: Select all

$CustomChar(1, 8, 20, 11, 4, 4, 4, 4, 3)$Chr(176)

should display this, but i get the ? on the smartie display and _ on my LCD display.

I tested all the 8 custom char numbers...and it didn't work!

All the 8 numbers seemed to be taken already by other chars?!

Do need to have the character table for my iMon display in order to see which 8 character positions aren't given away yet?

When i type the following under smartie

Code: Select all

$Chr(176)$Chr(158)$Chr(131)$Chr(132)$Chr(133)$Chr(134)$Chr(135)$Chr(136)

i get something like a volume bar displayed on my LCD. The $Chr(176) is already taken by the ? symbol, but on my LCD will only _ be shown.

What is the problem? The syntax seems to be right, but it doesn't work. why?

Does someone has a hint for me?

I'm near to HaraKiri...

LCD Smartie

Output plugin (for iMON VFD)

Output plugin (for iMON VFD)

usbport.dll

Re: usbport.dll

Re: usbport.dll

Dign

Re: Dign

Alternative Plugin

IMON VFD

iMon Graphic Equalizer